Foot care device

ABSTRACT

A foot care device for removing build-up and diminishing calluses. The foot care device comprises a frame and one or more blades connected to the frame at an angle thereto. The device may further comprise a brush attached to the frame.

[0001] This application relates to Provisional Patent Application SerialNo. 60/303,358 filed Jul. 6, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to foot care products, and moreparticularly to a device for removing skin cells and other build-up fromthe foot and diminishing calluses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Build-up from skin cells, perspiration and foot care productssuch as powders and lotions may promote foot odor, fungus growth andinfection if not properly removed from the foot. Additionally, callusesmay form on the sole or other portions of the foot of which removal isdesirable. Abrasive products such a pumice stones, files and flexiblematerials having abrasive particles embedded therein, have been used toremove build-up and calluses. These products, however, typically havelimited life spans because material removed from the foot causes thedevices to glaze after repeated uses, thereby diminishing theireffectiveness. A further disadvantage is that material removed from thefoot and embedded in the device may facilitate bacterial growth on theproduct leading to an unhygienic foot care implement.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a foot care product that iseffective in removing build-up and diminishing calluses, and is easilykept hygienic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention provide a foot care devicefor removing build-up and diminishing calluses that is effective overrepeated uses and may be easier to clean compared to conventional footcare products. The foot care device is held in the hand and is used toscrape buildup from the foot and smooth areas that may be prone tocalluses.

[0006] In an illustrative embodiment of the invention the foot caredevice comprises a frame and one or more blades connected to the frame,and at an angle thereto. The invention may further comprise a brush,preferably attached to an end of the frame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The invention is best understood from the following detaileddescription when read with the accompanying drawings.

[0008]FIG. 1 depicts a bottom view of a foot scraper according to anillustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0009]FIG. 2 depicts an end view of a foot scraper according to anillustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0010]FIG. 3 depicts a side view of a foot scraper according to anillustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0011]FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional side view of a foot scraperaccording to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0012]FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a foot scraper according toan illustrative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013]FIG. 1 depicts a foot care device 100 according to an illustrativeembodiment of the invention. Device 100 includes a frame 102 having sideportions 104 and bottom portion 106. Blades 108 are attached to sideportions 104 and bottom portion 106. It is sufficient for the frame tohave only a bottom portion, provided that it adequately supports blades108 during device use. FIG. 1 depicts a device having two blades 108,however, the device may have a single blade or more than two blades. Thegreater the number of blades the more scraping accomplished in a giventime period. The advantages of more blades must be weighed against theincrease work necessary to clean the device. Two blades should besufficient for most applications.

[0014] Side portions 104 may include one or more end portions and/or oneor more longitudinal portions 110. Side portions 104 may help to supportblades 108 and may also serve to more comfortably hold the device duringuse. To further assist in holding the device, a handle or strap may beincorporated into the device. FIG. 5 shows an illustrative handle 502.Handle 502 maybe rigid or flexible and may be a separate piece affixedto the device or may be integrally formed therewith.

[0015] Blades 108 may be integrally formed with frame 102, removablyaffixed thereto, or may comprise separate pieces permanently attached toframe 102. Blades 108 are preferably at approximately ninety degrees tobottom portion 106, but may be at any other angle that allows unwantedmaterial to be scraped from the foot without causing damage to the foot.FIG. 1 depicts blades 108 having a slight curve, however, blades 108 maybe straight across the device or have a more significant curve thandepicted. Blades 108 may also be curved around a line perpendicular tothe top edge of the blade.

[0016] For additional foot care capabilities, a brush 404, as depictedin FIG. 4, may be attached to the device. Brush 404 is preferablyattached to an end portion of frame 102. This would enable the brush tobe used in hard-to-reach areas of the foot such as between the toes. Thebrush may serve to remove build-up that does not require the scrapingaction of blades 108.

[0017]FIG. 2 depicts an end view of a foot scraper according to anillustrative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, sideportion 102 is slightly smaller in height than blade 108. The primaryheight requirement of blade 108 as compared to frame 102 is that blade108 protrudes sufficiently from frame 102 to allow adequate scrapingaction. The primary requirement for the height of frame 102 is that itis structurally sound enough to support blade 108 during use.

[0018]FIG. 3 depicts a side view of a foot scraper according to anillustrative embodiment of the invention. Frame 102 as depicted in FIG.3 includes indentations 302 to enhance gripping ability. The inventivefoot care products will typically be used with water. Therefore,indentations 302 or other means for enhanced grasping ability, such as aroughened surface may be beneficial to the user. In a plastic foot caredevice, all or part of frame 102 may be molded with a rough surface. Theimproved gripping ability that this would provide should be weighedagainst the ease with which the device may be thoroughly cleaned.

[0019]FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional side view of a foot scraperaccording to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. Thisembodiment shows a thicker end portion 402 of frame 102. Thickened endportion 402 may be necessary to accommodate brush 404. Further shown inFIG. 4 are blades 108 as having a relatively wide base that decreasesuntil a sharp edge 406 is formed at the top. Other geometries arepossible according to the invention. For example, blades 108 may have auniform cross-section through most of their length, with a sharp edgethat takes shape toward the end of blade 108.

[0020] Blades 108 may have any spacing but are preferably spaced tofacilitate easy cleaning. The overall size of the device is preferablycomparable to a standard bar of soap, however, other sizes are possibleand may be preferable depending on the hand size of the user.

[0021] Illustrative frame materials include plastic, wood and metal.Illustrative blade materials include plastic or metal. In a preferredembodiment of the invention, blades 108 and frame 102 are made ofplastic and are integrally formed, such as by molding. Blades 108 may beremovable from frame 102 for replacement and cleaning.

[0022] While the invention has been described by illustrativeembodiments, additional advantages and modifications will occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to specific details shown and described herein.Modifications, for example, to the dimensions and geometry of thedevice, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limitedto the specific illustrative embodiments but be interpreted within thefull spirit and scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claimed is:
 1. A foot care device for scraping build-up from the footand diminishing calluses comprising: a frame; and one or more bladesconnected to the frame and at an angle thereto.
 2. The foot care deviceof claim 1 wherein the frame comprises: a bottom portion and one or moreside portions attached to the bottom portion; and wherein the one ormore blades are attached to the bottom portion.
 3. The foot care deviceof claim 1 further comprising: a brush attached to the frame.
 4. Thefoot care device of claim 1 wherein the one or more blades are at anangle of approximately ninety degrees to the bottom portion.
 5. The footcare device of claim 1 wherein the one or more blades are integrallyconnected to the bottom portion.
 6. The foot care device of claim 1wherein the frame is plastic.
 7. The foot care device of claim 1 whereinthe one or more blades are plastic.
 8. The foot care device of claim 1wherein the frame is metal.
 9. The foot care device of claim 1 whereinthe one or more blades are metal.
 10. The foot care device of claim 1wherein the frame is wood.
 11. The foot care device of claim 1 whereinthe frame comprises a handle portion.
 12. A foot care device forscraping build-up from the foot and diminishing calluses comprising: aframe having a bottom portion and one or more side portions connected tothe bottom portion; one or more blades connected to the bottom portionand to one or more of the one or more side portions; and a brushconnected to the bottom portion.
 13. A foot care device for scrapingbuild-up from the foot and diminishing calluses comprising: one or moreside portions connected to the bottom portion; one or more bladesconnected to the bottom portion and to one or more of the one or moreside portions; and a brush connected to the bottom portion; wherein thebottom portion, one or more side portions and the blades are formed asan integral plastic device.